Indian Tribal News Service
Hyderabad/New Delhi
The Jatara commemorates the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma respectively, with the then reigning Kakatiya rulers against an unjust law.
The Jatara begins at Medaram in Tadvai Mandal, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. Medaram, a remote hamlet in Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of the dense Dandakaranya forest range and it, believed that it is at this time of the year that the Goddesses of the tribals visit them.
Government officials said an estimated 10 million people gathered in 2018, it easily said that it attracts the largest gathering of devotees after Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh.
Mulugu district Superintendent of Police Sangram Singh Patil said parking places made to accommodate 3.5 lakh vehicles and 4,000 TSRTC buses. As many as 10,000 police personnel will be deployed for the smooth conduct of the festival even as 382 CCTVs will monitor the huge crowds and police check posts will be set up at every 2m-4 km.
Legend has it that Sammakka had miraculous powers. One story that is much told about is that during 13th century, a troop from the Koya tribal community was returning from a trip when they saw a little girl playing with tigers. Amazed at her bravery, the head of the troop adopted her and named her Sammakka.
She later married the headman of a neighboring tribal group and had a daughter, Sarakka. Both mother and daughter opposed the Kakatiya kings who forced the tribes to pay taxes. They fought bravely and reportedly lost their lives. The Koya community constructed a temple for token of gratitude and since the event of Sammakka Saralamma Jatara held biennially.
The State Festival of Telangana, the Jatara initially celebrated mostly by the Koya tribals. But over the years, devotees from many other tribes also started celebrating the festivals. Even non-tribals come here in huge numbers. It is a festival with no Vedic or Brahminic influence.
The devotees come from states like M.P, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and parts of Jharkhand and offer gold, and jaggery (of a quantity equal to their weight to the Goddesses). They take holy bath in Jampanna Vagu (stream), a tributary of River Godavari. Jampanna, said to be the tribal warrior and son of Sammakka.
Officials said, till 1998, the only way to reach Medaram was by a bullock cart. But in 1998, after the State government declared the centuries-old festival as official, a motorable road was laid.
In 2008, nearly 8 million people were estimated to have attended the festival. And in recent times the gathering in the Jatara is roughly close to 10 million, government officials said.
The Telangana government is sending out invites to dignitaries including several Chief Ministers. Along with a gift box that also contains a coffee table book, Koya. Gond community’s paintings, Naikpod masks, Oja Gond crafts, Banjara crafts, and information stickers. Read more of our blog about The Indian Tribal News on our website.
